Product Testing

• Soffits do not have to pass the impact test.

• The air infiltration tests have to be performed before the water infiltration test.

• The structural load test, for products that are required to be mounted on CBS block, can be performed on a wooden buck when the product is impact resistant. Else, it needs to be tested on CBS.

• In lieu of testing all the applicable cases (of variations in size and mounting locations), comparative analysis may be allowed, provided three specimens are tested to positive failure, and three specimens are tested to negative failure.

• From the three tests, in the direction which proves weakest, curves are derived.
  • If the ultimate load for any of the three specimens tested varies more than 20% from the average, three additional tests shall be made and all tests considered in determining the average ultimate load.
  • An average of the three curves is then taken. Two points on the curve are chosen, for which two additional specimens are to be tested in order to prove these points. The results from these last two tests are to be within the 20% margin previously mentioned in order to accept the comparative analysis for that product. This procedure applies only to shutters.

• All products tested under the fatigue loading sequence do not have to have a recovery of at least 90%. This only applies to cladding.

• The 2-mil polyethylene be not be substituted for a thicker one -- 2-mil polyethylene film must be used all of the time. You may "only" use 4 mil when pressures exceed 150 psf.

• When testing the three required specimens and a failure occurs in the last specimen, you do not have to re-test three new specimens. An additional fourth specimen in the same conditions as the one that failed is allowed.  If the specimen failed in impact, the fourth specimen tested must be exactly the same and the impact locations are in the same locations as the one that failed. 

• Un-supported (free jambs) vertical members must comply with FBC section 1613.1 (5) for deflection requirements and must not exceed the allowable stress for the type of material used.

• The maximum end gap allowed between un-supported jamb and substrate cannot be specified as un-limited. The end gap must be limited either as tested or by the sealant (caulking) manufacturer's joint performance capabilities and recommendations. Design consideration must also be given to weathering, water proofing, fire propagation, material expansion, compatibility, working joints and sealant performance.

Laboratories

• If you or the lab do not notify Miami-Dade County of the test 7 days prior, your test is not valid and your tests will not be accepted.
   
• The approved engineer listed with the certified testing laboratory has to be present during the execution of a given test. If the listed engineer is not present during the test, that test shall not be accepted.
• A group of manufacturers of a particular product can get together with the purpose of testing for approval. A request for such testing must be made to the Regulatory and Economic Resources Department prior to the testing (use the special project / hourly rate application). The intent of this procedure is to try to help manufacturers of the same products curtail the cost of testing. 
   
• A Certified testing laboratory's report shall not be older than six months at the time it is submitted for product approval. 
   
• If the laboratory testing the product does not have the capabilities to perform the metallurgical test, the laboratory is responsible to contract a Miami-Dade County Approved laboratory that can perform the test. The lab is to send the product for the metallurgical testing; not the product manufacturer. The metallurgical laboratory shall reference the product test number on the metallurgical test report.

Large Missile Test

• The large missile failure criteria is a rupture in the specimen with dimensions greater than 1/16" by 5" per Ordinance 93- 141, constitutes a failure. For storm shutters, a separation as described in question 55 is allowed.
• The failure criteria for a glazed product when using the large missile test are as stated in Ordinance 93-141, which states "an opening greater than 1/16" by 5" where air can pass". Note: If the opening is not evident upon impact but it is evident upon completion of the cycling, the specimen passed the impact but failed the cycling.  
• The large missile cannon can be fired at a vertical angle to compensate for the missile drop causing a perpendicular impact to the specimen. The front of the barrel can be shimmed to cause a perpendicular impact to the specimen.  
• A 5-inch radius circle where the large missile can impact in, for all of the specified locations of impact, is not allowed.  The impacts that clearly state to hit the "meeting rail", "joint", or "valley" must impact in those locations. A 5-inch radius must not be used in those impacts.
  • The 5" radius mentioned in the South Florida Building Code section 2315.1(e) was established as a tolerance. The referenced section clearly states that the missile is to impact within the described circle. Should a missile fail to impact the sample "within" the prescribed circle, the shot will not be accepted and the shot is to be repeated.
  • The following are acceptable and unacceptable shots depicted as 1 and 2, respectively. Locations specified for impact such as but not limited to meeting rails, mullions, valleys, and seams do not have an established tolerance. Therefore, the specified location is to be impacted.

Small Missile Test

A specimen will fail if the small missile goes through.

When the small missile test is required

When prior to impact the specimen has an opening that a 3/16" sphere can pass, and this opening is perpendicular to the trajectory of the missiles being shot. Also, it is required for products to be installed above 30 feet in elevation and are not to require any protection device.

All 10 small missiles must be fired at once at the required speed for which only the speed of one has to be measured.

After the large missile test

The small missile test is performed on the same specimen as used in the large missile test.

The small missiles are aimed at the same area as where the large missile impacted; this being the center of the specimen and 6 inches from one corner. Also, Ordinance 93-141 requires a third small missile impact "distributed uniformly over a two square foot area located at the center of the long dimension of the specimen near the edge".

TAS202

• When performing a static loading per TAS202-94 and a plastic filament is needed for air leakage, you can load the specimen to +0.5 test & release, then +1.0 test & release, and then -0.5 test & release, then -1.0 test & release provided all necessary measurements are recorded.
• The sequence for testing TAS202-94 when loading the specimen is to first run the required "positive" design pressures  and then the "negative" design pressures.
• In Protocol TAS202, if the product is impact resistant (TAS201 & TAS203 will be performed).  One specimen to TAS202 is allowed. If the product is non-impact, three units are required.
• When the forced entry test is required and you are not testing for impact, all three specimens tested for protocol TAS202 have to undergo the forced entry test.
• The sequence of testing for products that have to meet the water requirements of protocol TAS202 is first, test the air infiltration. Second, load the product to 0.5 x test load. Third, load to design pressure. Fourth, test the water at its corresponding pressure. Lastly, test to full test load.
• Deflection Measurements are to be taken on a sample at locations where the maximum deflection occurs. This may differ from product to product. If a sample's deflection is measured at a point where there is another point deflecting more, an additional dial indicator shall be placed at that new location.
• If a failure occurs in any of the various test procedures of the TAS202 protocol, the entire sequence of testing needs to be repeated on a new or revamped sample. If the specimen fails to meet any of the procedures within TAS202, the specimen has failed said protocol.

TAS201

• The specified dimension and type of wooden 2x4 required for the large missile impact test in Protocol TAS201 shall be as specified in PA201 section 6.3.2.1 (No. 2 Southern Yellow Pine S4S). The length shall be not less than 6 feet and shall not exceed 8 feet.
• The 3/16" opening criteria specified in TAS201-94 Section 6.3.2.3 applies to products that in their original state have openings of this dimension prior to being impacted by the large missile test. This criterion is for products that have a 3/16" opening perpendicular to the missile's trajectory. For example a mesh-like shutter device, etc.